EXPcustom
Well-known member
Here we go one more for the Cantrell fanboys. As some of you know that G&L went from a 3 bolt to a 4 bolt neck plate shortly after Leo Fender’s death. This was around 96-97 when the new corporate “marketing guys” went against Leo’s vision and went to 4 bolt on the G&L line. I know there is a huge debate over 3 bolt vs 4 bolt neck plates and here is my take on it…
Leo believed his 3 bolt and micro tilt were superior to 4 bolt. I believe him but here is the catch. In order for it to be superior you had to have tight tolerances in the manufacturing process. If you played it fast and loose with tolerances overall the 4 bolt would be more forgiving thus superior. This is what happened when CBS took over Fender and the 3 bolts got a “bad” reputation. Quality Control wasn’t the first thing in the mind of TV executives who just took over a guitar company.
So in 1996-97 when this prototype was made it was part of a small run I’m talking less than 10 guitars that were made for Jerry before his first “official” release of Rampages came out in the 98-99 time frame. Those ALL had 4 bolt neck plates. The cool thing about the prototype run is they were one of the last with the 3 bolt neck plates.
Funny thing is that G&L for whatever reason won’t go back to 3 bolt necks and even Jerry Cantrell himself had requested this for the blue dress and they told him they just can’t do it. So are Jerry, Leo and me correct that the 3 bolt is superior?
Here it is my 1996-97 prototype Rampage with 3 bolt neck plate. Also this one is the only one of the run with a painted matching headstock. The other ones had a natural headstock. I found this one years ago one late night on the internet many years ago and had G&L verify its authenticity.
Leo believed his 3 bolt and micro tilt were superior to 4 bolt. I believe him but here is the catch. In order for it to be superior you had to have tight tolerances in the manufacturing process. If you played it fast and loose with tolerances overall the 4 bolt would be more forgiving thus superior. This is what happened when CBS took over Fender and the 3 bolts got a “bad” reputation. Quality Control wasn’t the first thing in the mind of TV executives who just took over a guitar company.
So in 1996-97 when this prototype was made it was part of a small run I’m talking less than 10 guitars that were made for Jerry before his first “official” release of Rampages came out in the 98-99 time frame. Those ALL had 4 bolt neck plates. The cool thing about the prototype run is they were one of the last with the 3 bolt neck plates.
Funny thing is that G&L for whatever reason won’t go back to 3 bolt necks and even Jerry Cantrell himself had requested this for the blue dress and they told him they just can’t do it. So are Jerry, Leo and me correct that the 3 bolt is superior?
Here it is my 1996-97 prototype Rampage with 3 bolt neck plate. Also this one is the only one of the run with a painted matching headstock. The other ones had a natural headstock. I found this one years ago one late night on the internet many years ago and had G&L verify its authenticity.
